Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization works to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."